Apparatus for treatment of webs or yarns



Jan. 10, 1967 H. FISCHER APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF WEBS OR YARNS Filed Sept. 5, 1964 0%. 9 N6 4 IE w & A a H J United States Patent f 3,296,841 APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF WEBS 0R YARNS Hans Fischer, Wattwil, Switzerland, assignor to Heberlein Patent Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 394,271 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Sept. 18, 1963, 11,529/ 63 5 Claims. (Cl. 68-150) This invention relates to apparatus for the treatment of webs or yarns, and more particularly, to apparatus which is adapted to treat lengths of such material having different lineal widths.

Heretofore, a variety of apparatuses have been known for treating materials such as textile materials, for example, in the form of webs as of woven or knitted goods, or yarns, with liquids for desizing, boiling, bleaching, or dyeing and the like, such materials being presented for treatment in a variety of widths. In one form of known apparatus, the material to be treated is wound up on the perforated jacket of a rotating drum, and the liquid is admitted to the drum and is forced through the perforations and the material by centrifugal force and pumping pressure. However, it will be appreciated, for example, that if a drum is provided with a wide perforated area and only a narrow length of material is wound upon the drum, then the liquid will find it easier to flow through the uncovered perforations and excessive quantities of liquid will be consumed before the treatment is completed.

In the past, it was known to overcome this difficulty by constructions embodying the costly expedient of providing a special perforated drum for each Width of material to be treated, the drums being mountable interchangeably on the machine. Another apparatus which has proven satisfactory in the solution of the problem stated is described in copending application of Karl Joseph Windhausen, Serial No. 338,911 filed January 20, 1964, Patent No. 3,233,437. According to the disclosure of that application, a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis is provided with a series of perforations in its cylindrical surface, means for introducing fluid into the drum, a number of perforated flexible bands adjacent the inner cylindrical surface of the drum, and means selectively positioning the bands individually to locate the perforations therein out of registry or in various degrees of registry with the perforations in the drum. By means of this construction perforations in the drum surface could be controlled in turn to control the passage of fluid from the drum according to the width of the material being treated. This construction, while quite satisfactory in operation, is rather costly to manufacture.

Accordingly, I have conceived by my invention apparatus of the class described which, while overcoming the aforementioned difliculties and disadvantages, can be manufactured at a lower cost than the apparatus described in application Serial No. 338,911 and can be set to treat material of various widths with improved facility.

In essence, my invention comprises a drum formed with a series of perforations in an inter-mediate zone of its cylindrical surface, means mounting the drum for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means dividing the intermediate zone of the drum into a plurality of cylindrical chambers positioned longitudinally within the drum, and means admitting fluid under pressure into selected of the chambers according to the width of material to be treated.

As a feature of my invention, the means mounting the drum for rotation is a hollow axle extending centrally longitudinally through the drum, and provided with orifices or perforations in that portion of it which passes 3,295,841 Patented Jan. 10, 1967 through a particular chamber formed by successive partitions. Thus, fluid may be admitted to the central chamber for example through the central axle.

As another feature of the present invention, I provide a plurality of conduits which extend longitudinally substantially through the drum and which are provided with apertures establishing communication between the interiors of the conduits and, in each case, selected of the chambers. Thus, by controlling the flow of fluid into selected chambers, either the central chamber alone, the fluid passing through the central axle; or, in addition to the central chamber, fluid may be admitted to sequential adjacent chambers as desired according to the width of material to be treated.

It will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that, since fabrics requiring treatment of the type contemplated herein are woven for the most part in standard widths, the lengths of the chambers may be readily determined.

As a further feature of my invention, I prefer to construct the present apparatus with an unperforated end chamber adjacent the intermediate perforated zone and through which the hollow central axle passes. The portion of the axle within this end chamber is perforated so that fluid passing through the axle enters and fills the end chamber. The conduits communicating with chambers in the intermediate zone of the drum other than that in communication with the central axle pass into the end chamber and are there provided with valves operable from without the drum. Thus, it will be understood that selected chambers within the intermediate zone of the drum can readily be supplied with fluid through the hollow axle and also simply by opening the valve at the end of the appropriate conduit or conduits communicating with the selected chambers intended to be charged with fluid.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along a vertical central longitudinal plane of an illustrative form of apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 33 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 44 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a drum 10 comprising end plates 11 and an intermediate zone 12 in which the cylindrical surface of the drum is provided with a number of perforations 14. A hollow axle 15 passes through the drum along its central longitudinal axis and extends beyond the end plates 11 to which it is attached. The exterior parts of the axle 15 are provided with bearing 3 surfaces 16 and 17, the former of which is through bored as at 19, and the latter of which is solid and thus serves also to close the axle.

Within the drum I provide a number of spaced partitions 20 parallel to the end plates 11 so that the perforated intermediate zone 12 is divided into a plurality of chambers 21 and 21a. As shown in FIG. 1, the central chamber 21a is longer than those on either side of it and its length is determined by a standard width of material to be treated. The remaining chambers 21 are shorter and are dimensioned according to the standard widths of narrower Webs of material to be treated; although in determining the widths of the various chambers, consideration is given to the fact that various combinations of chambers may be integrated for simultaneous use in cases in which the web to be treated is of a standard width larger than the length of any single chamber. Of course, in the case of yarns to be treated, these can be wound upon the drum to cover any desired portion of the intermediate zone 12, and thus any particular interior chambers 21, 21a depending upon the overall length of the yarn to be treated at one time.

At the end of the drum adjacent that part of the axle equipped with the bored bearing surface 16, there is formed between the end plate 11 and the first adjacent partition 20, an unperforated end chamber 22. Those portions of the axle which pass through this end chamber 22 and one of the perforated chambers, the center one for example, are provided with a number of apertures 24 and 25, respectively.

In the embodiment of my invention chosen for purposes of illustration, I have shown, in addition to the large central chamber 21a, light smaller perforated chambers 20, arranged four on each side of the central chamber. To supply fluid to these chambers, I provide four conduits 26, 27, 28 and 29 which extend longitudinally through the perforated chambers and which terminate in an open end in the end chamber 22, the other ends of the conduits being closed. Each of these conduits 26, 27, 28 and 29 is provided with apertures in that portion of its length that passes through respective corresponding perforated chambers 20 on opposite sides of the central chamber 21a. Thus, for example, the conduit 26 has apertures communicating with the chambers 21 next adjacent the large central chamber 21a; the conduit 29 communicates with the next successive chambers 21 (FIG. 4); the conduit 27 communicates with the following successive chambers 21 (FIG 3); and the conduit 28 with the last successive pair of perforated chambers 21 (FIG. 1).

As has already been stated, each of the conduits 26 to 29 terminates in an open end in the unperforated end chamber 22, and I provide these open ends with valves represented schematically in FIG. 1 and designated by the reference numeral 30. As shown, these valves are controlled from without the drum by any convenient valve operating mechanisms 31, also shown schematically.

In operation, the yarn or web material to be treated is wound layer upon layer to form a roll around the drum covering any one or any group of perforated chambers 21 and 21a depending upon the standard width of material. As stated, the length of chambers 21 and 21a is selected in accordance with standard widths of web material. Thus, the central chamber 21a and any additional successive adjacent chambers required will be covered. Treating fluid under pressure is then admitted into the hollow axle 15 from which it flows through apertures into the central chamber 21a and also through apertures 24 into end chamber 22. If the material to be treated covers only the central chamber 21a, all valves 30 are left in closed position and the axle and drum are rotated so that the fluid passes by centrifugal force through the perforations 14 in the drum surface of the central chamber and into the material roll.

If the roll covers a larger area of the drum than that defined by the central chamber, then those valves 30 are opened as are necessary to allow fluid into the additional chambers covered. Thus, for example, if the two perforated chambers next adjacent the central chamber are covered by the material roll, then the valve 30 at the end of conduit 26 is opened as shown in FIG. 1, and fluid flows from end chamber 22 into the conduit 26, through its perforations into the chambers 21 adjacent the central chamber, and through the perforations in the drum surface defined by the central and the next adjacent chambers into the material roll.

The effective length of the treating zone may be increased by actuating each next successive pair of chambers by opening the appropriate valves 30.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I contribute by my invention a novel construction of the class described by which I am able selectively to adjust the total effective area of perforations in the drum according to the width of material to be treated so as economically to regulate the quantity of fluid used in a particular treating process, and to permit the use of a single drum for treatment of material of various standard widths. It will also be seen that the apparatus of my invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and that the regulations may be effected quickly and with great facility.

I believe that the construction and operation of my invention will now be understood, and that the several advantages thereof will be fully appreciated by those persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising, a drum formed with a series of perforations in an intermediate Zone of its cylindrical surface, means mounting said drum for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means dividing said zone of said drum into a plurality of cylindrical chambers positioned longitudinally within said drum, and conduit means admitting fluid under pressure into one of said chambers, means communicating with said conduit means and the other of said cylindrical chambers, and valve means controlling fluid flow through said last mentioned means selectively to permit fluid to enter said other chambers according to the width of material to be treated.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising, a drum formed with a series of perforations in an intermediate zone of its cylindrical surface, a hollow axle extending longitudinally centrally through said drum and mounting said drum for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means dividing said zone of said drum into a plurality of cylindrical chamber means positioned longitudinally within said drum, means admitting fluid through said hollow axle into one selected chamber means, means communicating with said hollow axle and the other of said chamber means, and means admitting fluid into selected of the other chamber means through said last mentioned means.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising, a drum formed With a series of perforations in an intermediate zone of its cylindrical surface, a hollow axle extending longitudinally centrally through said drum and mounting said drum for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means dividing said zone of said drum into a plurality of cylindrical chamber means positioned longitudinally within said drum, means admitting fluid through said hollow axle into selected chamber means, and a plurality of conduits extending lengthwise within said drum and each formed with apertures for admitting fluid into selected of the other chamber means, and means controlling the admis- S1011 of fluid to said conduits.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising, a drum having an intermediate zone formed with a plurality of perforations in its cylindrical surface, a hollow axle extending longitudinally centrally through said drum and mounting said drum for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means dividing said zone of said drum into a plurality of cylindrical chambers within said drum, means admitting fluid under pressure through said hollow axle into a selected one of said chambers, an nnperforated end chamber in said drum, means admitting fluid under pressure into said end chamber, a plurality of conduits extending lengthwise within said drum and each formed with apertures for admitting fluid into selected of the other chambers, said conduits terminating in said end chamber, and valve means selectively controlling communication between said end chamber and respective of said conduits.

5. Apparatus of the class described comprising, a drum having an intermediate zone formed with a plurality of perforations in its cylindrical surface, a hollow axle extending longitudinally centrally through said drum and mounting said drum for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means dividing said zone of said drum into a plurality of cylindrical chambers Within said drum, means admitting fluid under pressure through said hollow axle into a selected one of said chambers, an unperforated chamber at one end of said drum, apertures in that portion of said axle passing through said unperforated chamber, a plurality of conduits extending lengthwise within said drum and each formed with apertures for admitting fluid into selected of the other chambers, said conduits terminating in said end chamber, and valve means selectively controlling communication between said end chamber and respective of said conduits.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,759,157 5/1930 Gere 68150 2,707,383 5/1955 Newcomb et al. 68-189 3,100,979 8/1963 Stanway 68-150 3,145,398 8/1964 Wyatt 68150 X 3,233,437 2/1966 Windhausen 68-150 IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISING, A DRUM FORMED WITH A SERIES OF PERFORATIONS IN AN INTERMEDIATE ZONE OF ITS CYLINDRICAL SURFACE, MEANS MOUNTING SAID DRUM FOR ROTATION ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AZIS, MEANS DIVIDING SAID ZONE OF SAID DRUM INTO A PLURALITY OF CYLINDRICAL CHAMBERS POSITIONED LONGITUDINALLY WITHIN SAID DRUM, AND CONDUIT MEANS ADMITTING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE INTO ONE OF SAID CHAMBERS, MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CONDUIT MEANS AND THE OTHER OF SAID CYLINDRICAL CHAMBERS, AND VALVE MEANS CONTROLLING FLUID FLOW THROUGH SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANS SELECTIVELY TO PERMIT FLUID TO ENTER SAID OTHER CHAMBERS ACCORDING TO THE WIDTH OF MATERIAL TO BE TREATED. 